With a population of 118,000 inhabitants Ulm forms an urban district and administrative center of the region. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and traditions as a former Free Imperial City (German: freie Reichsstadt). Today, it is an economic center due to its varied industries, and it is the seat of a university. Internationally, Ulm is primarily known for having the church with the tallest steeple in the world (161.53 meter or 529.95 feet), the Gothic Ulm minster (German: Ulmer Münster) and as the birthplace of Albert Einstein.

Ulm lies at the Danube river and is surrounded by forests and hills which rise to altitudes of over 620 metres, which are part of the Swabian Mountains. Because of the Danube Ulm sees a lot of dense fog especially in late autumn and early spring. Most parts of the city, including the old town, are situated on the north-west bank of the Danube. On the other side of the river lies the twin city of Neu-Ulm in the state of Bavaria.

Around the city, there are many statues of sparrows (Spatzen). Spatzen is a nickname for the residents of Ulm and a symbol of the city. Legend says that, while building the cathedral, the workers couldn't figure out how to get the long wooden beams into the church until they noticed a sparrow entering its nest while holding a piece of straw lengthwise, instead of sideways.

The 48.49.9833331Ulm Hauptbahnhof (main station). is in the town center, about a 10 minute walk from the cathedral (Ulmer Münster). Ulm is about an hour from Stuttgart and 1.5-2 hours from Munich.

There are special train tickets called Länder-Tickets for travel within a region, such as Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria (Bayern). With this ticket up to five people can use all regional trains for a whole day for only 22 € (one person) – 38 € (five persons). Prices may change, so check the Deutsche Bahn website for the latest prices.

Frankfurt airport (FRA IATA) is a farther away than all the other listed airports, but may serve as your entry point if none of the closer options aligns with your plans. Deutsche Bahn and most airlines have entered rail air alliances to offer combination tickets for the train ride and the flight in one package, which might work out to be the cheapest and/or most comfortable option.

The town center is small enough to walk around, but there are lots of buses and even sightseeing boats on the Danube (Donau) River. There's a Straßenbahn of a single line with a second line to open in December 2018.

48.398519.991891Ulmer Münster, Münsterplatz 1, 89073 Ulm. Construction on this Gothic cathedral began in the 14th century, but the current version was only fully completed in 1890. The interior of the Münster contains gorgeous choir stalls by Jörg Syrlin (1469–1474) from the 15th century. The top of the steeple, which is the tallest in the world, can be reached by climbing 768 steps and offers an amazing view of Ulm and the region (4€ for adults). On clear days, it is possible to see the Alps.

The Ulmer Münster

48.395669.989162Fishermen's Quarter (Fischerviertel). a scenic old part of town with half-timbered houses, around the Blau River. Contains the crookedest hotel in the world

Fishermen's and Tanners' Quarter

48.396869.993223Rathaus (city hall). With its ancient colorful painted walls and the astronomical clock (dating from 1520)

48.396689.992744Library. The library of Ulm, also known as "Glaspyramide" (glass pyramid), because of its architecture.

48.36139.99175Wiblingen Monastery, Schlossstraße 38, 89079 Ulm-Wiblingen, ☎+49 731 5028975. Founded in 1092 by Benedictine monks. Points of interest are the late Baroque basilica and the Rococo library room. There is also a museum in the convent building. The monastery is the starting point of the Upper-Swabian Baroque Route (updated Oct 2015)

rococo library room - Monastery Wiblingen

48.41159.9836Ulm Federal Fortifications. The largest preserved fortifications in Germany. Built from 1842 - 1859 to protect from attacks by France. (updated Oct 2015)

The UlmCard is available from the Tourist Information office. It provides entry to the Weishaupt Gallery, Ulm Museum, Museum of Bread Culture, Danube Swabian Museum, Edwin Scharff Museum, Museum at Wiblingen Monastery and Rococo library, Natural History Education Centre, and Children's Museum Neu-Ulm along with many other advantages.

Walk along the Donau (Danube) river and the city wall and through the Fischerviertel. Visit the many art galleries there. See the Schiefes Haus (Crooked House) and enjoy the nice and little houses with very little streets between and small rivers. Visit the birthplace of Albert Einstein. Today the site of the house where he was born is marked with a memorial.

Take a cruise on the Donau with the historic ship 'Ulmer Spatz'. Regularly tours during summer. Starting near the Metzgerturm.

48.4002210.0048014Maritim Hotel Ulm, Basteistraße 40, ☎+49 731 9230. Quality hotel with a very good breakfast buffet. Locate by the river, bit of a stroll to the town centre

The Ulm tourist office, located in the Stadthaus in the Münsterplatz, is very good. There are many pensions in the old town whose owners do not speak English well and prefer the office to act for them. The old town on its own is worth the stop with some excellent stuben.